Surprising. Unconventional. Mysterious. These are just a few adjectives describing the Matière Noire Fall / Winter 2013-14 presentation. The designer, Cécile Raizonville, wanted the public to be  closer to the clothes and feel like they were a part of the fashion show decor.  The set up was definitely different and as a spectator you felt like you were inside the show as opposed to sitting on the sidelines.  [See backstage pictures and more on our Facebook Page]

Photo credit: Unknown.

Raizonville, originally from France chose to show for the first time at Montreal Fashion Week because of Montreal’s artistic landscape which presented her with the perfect art-meets-fashion mix. As for the presentation itself –  organized chaos immediately comes to mind.

Cécile Raizonville, designer (3rd from the left), me and 3 models. Photo credit: Fashion With a Conscience™

We personally applaud the boldness of her show and we are also really excited by the fact that this designer has a conscience. In fact, Raizonville makes it a point to use as much eco-friendly and recycled fabric as she can to create her limited-edition collection. “It gives people something that no one else has. I think people like that.” said Raizonville.

That’s not all. The designer also works with a Montreal work center for immigrant women called  Petites Mains. This organization teaches often marginalized immigrant women how to sew and offers them hope. If that wasn’t enough, this young designer has big dreams for the future including producing her goods fairly in the Dominican Republic.

We look forward to seeing how she makes all her dreams “with a conscience” come true in the years to come.

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xoxo,